LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES DETECTION METHOD

Info

Publication number: 20210024979
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 18, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2021
Patent Grant number: 12168804
Applicants: NIPPON FLOUR MILLS CO.,LTD. (Tokyo), FASMAC CO., LTD. (Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa)
Inventors: Mika TSUNA (Atsugi-shi), Yoshitaka HARADA (Atsugi-shi), Yasuhiro SETO (Atsugi-shi), Kazuto TAKASAKI (Atsugi-shi)
Application Number: 16/632,051

Abstract

Novel means that enables detection of the monocytogenes bacterium alone distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria with sufficiently high accuracy is disclosed. The present inventors intensively analyzed the genome of the monocytogenes bacterium to identify two genes (the lmo0084 gene and the lmo2736 gene) as target regions with which the monocytogenes bacterium can be specifically detected distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria utilizing a nucleic acid amplification method. By a further intensive study of the base sequences of these two genes, primer setting regions for highly accurate, specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium alone were identified, and preferred particular examples of PCR primer sets, LAMP primer sets, and real-time PCR primer-probe sets were established.

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of specifically detecting Listeria monocytogenes and primers therefor.

BACKGROUND ART

Listeriosis is an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes (which may be hereinafter referred to as “monocytogenes bacterium”). Among the about 10 bacterial species known for the genus Listeria, only the monocytogenes bacterium causes listeriosis in human.

In Western countries, this bacterium is regarded as a serious food-poisoning bacterium. Also in Japan, the monocytogenes bacterium is often detected from a variety of foods including meat products and dairy products. Since the monocytogenes bacterium can be killed by ordinary cooking with heat, food poisoning hardly occurs by foods requiring cooking with heat. However, since the monocytogenes bacterium grows even under low-temperature conditions, for example, in a refrigerator, the risk of food poisoning by the monocytogenes bacterium still exists even when appropriate storage is carried out at low temperature for foods eaten without cooking with heat, such as dairy products including cheese; and ham, salami, and smoked salmon.

In the official qualitative test for the monocytogenes bacterium, judgment for the monocytogenes bacterium is carried out based on formation of a colony accompanied by a milky-white halo on a selective isolation medium such as ALOA agar medium or CHROMagar medium (Non-patent Document 1). However, the genus Listeria includes halo-forming species other than the monocytogenes bacterium. Therefore, in cases of contamination with such bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria, they are judged as positive for the monocytogenes bacterium. Further, the official test using a selective isolation medium takes days to carry out the judgment since it requires several days of confirmation culture, and the confirmation culture requires skill, which is problematic.

A variety of primers for detection of the monocytogenes bacterium by real-time PCR or the like have been reported (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), and there are also commercially available kits. In these prior art techniques, genes associated with pathogenicity of the monocytogenes bacterium are targeted. However, since the known methods including the commercially available kits have failed to sufficiently suppress production of false negatives and false positives, they are not sufficiently satisfactory as test methods for specifically detecting only the monocytogenes bacterium.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S) Patent Document(s)

Patent Document 1: JP 2010-263873 A
Patent Document 2: JP 2007-61061 A

Non-Patent Document(S)

Non-Patent Document 1: Notification No. 1128, Article 2 of the Department of Food Safety, “Examination of Listeria monocytogenes”, Nov. 28, 2014

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide means that enables detection of the monocytogenes bacterium alone distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria with sufficiently high accuracy.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present inventors intensively analyzed the genome of the monocytogenes bacterium to identify two genes as target regions with which the monocytogenes bacterium can be specifically detected distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria utilizing a nucleic acid amplification method. The present inventors studied the base sequences of these two genes in more detail, and carried out an intensive study by designing a large number of primers and using a variety of combinations of the primers for genomic DNAs of monocytogenes bacterial strains and other bacterial strains belonging to the genus Listeria. As a result, the present inventors succeeded in identification of primer setting regions for specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium alone with high accuracy, and also in establishment of preferred particular examples of PCR primer sets and LAMP primer sets, thereby completing the present invention.

More specifically, the present invention provides a primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following primer sets for amplification of a partial region of the lmo0084 gene or the lmo2736 gene of Listeria monocytogenes:

(A-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-2) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-3) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-4) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-5) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-6) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-7) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(A-8) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(B-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(C-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(D-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(E-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(F-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(G-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(H-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(I-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(I-2) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(I-3) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(J-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(K-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(L-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence; and
(M-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence.

The present invention also provides a primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets:

(A-9) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69;
(A-10) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69;
(D-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:70, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74;
(E-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74;
(F-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;
(G-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;
(H-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;
(I-4) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;
(J-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;
(K-3) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;
(L-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;
(N-1) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence; and
(O-1) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence.

The present invention also provides a loop-mediated isothermal amplification primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets:

(i) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:42, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:43, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:45;
(ii) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:49;
(iii) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:53; and
(iv) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:55, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:57.

The present invention also provides a method of detecting Listeria monocytogenes, comprising a step of amplifying a partial region of the lmo0084 gene or the lmo2736 gene by a nucleic acid amplification method using the primer set of the present invention described above.

The present invention also provides a probe for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NOs:80 to 82, SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac), or SEQ ID NO:86 (wherein ngcaan is ggcaag or cgcaac).

The present invention also provides a primer-probe set for real-time PCR for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets of primers and a probe:

[1] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 or 80;
[2] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac);
[3] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 or 80;
[4] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac);
[5] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:81; and
[6] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:70, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:82; and
[7] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:86 (wherein ngcaan is ggcaag or cgcaac).

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, primers with which various bacterial strains of the monocytogenes bacterium can be specifically detected distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria are provided. According to the method of the present invention, occurrence of false negatives and false positives can be remarkably reduced compared to test methods based on conventional nucleic acid amplification methods. Bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria also include species other than the monocytogenes bacterium that form colonies accompanied by milky-white halos on a selective isolation medium. According to the present invention, no amplification occurs with those bacterial strains, and such bacterial strains can therefore be distinguished from the monocytogenes bacterium even based on the result of a nucleic acid amplification method alone. Further, serotypes of the monocytogenes bacterium can be identified by designing probes targeting polymorphic sequences characteristic to the individual serotypes, such as the TaqMan (registered trademark) probe 0084TMP535-558(CC) in the following Examples, and carrying out real-time PCR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-1 shows images of colonies obtained by culturing the monocytogenes bacterium on ALOA agar medium or CHROMagar medium (examples of images of a positive colony forming a halo or a false-negative colony forming no halo).

FIG. 1-2 shows images of colonies obtained by culturing species belonging to the genus Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium on ALOA agar medium or CHROMagar medium (examples of images of a false-positive colony forming a halo).

FIG. 1-3 shows images of colonies obtained by culturing species belonging to the genus Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium on ALOA agar medium or CHROMagar medium (examples of images of a negative colony forming no halo).

FIG. 2-1 shows an example of the result of PCR using PCR primers for detection of Listeria monocytogenes designed in Examples. The PCR was carried out using Prime set No. 4, which targets the lmo00084 gene. Detection was carried out by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. The 476-bp PCR products indicated by arrows are specific amplification products from the monocytogenes bacterium. The number assigned to each lane corresponds to a bacterial strain No. listed in Table 5-1 or Table 5-2. The numbers 1 to 10 correspond to monocytogenes (corresponding, from No. 1, to the serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4d, and 5 in this order), and the numbers 11 to 22 correspond to species belonging to the genus Listeria other than monocytogenes.

FIG. 2-2 shows an example of the result of PCR using PCR primers for detection of Listeria monocytogenes designed in Examples. The PCR was carried out using Prime set No. 1, which targets the lmo02736 gene. Detection was carried out by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. The 168-bp PCR products indicated by arrows are specific amplification products from the monocytogenes bacterium. The arrows indicate the specific amplification products. The number assigned to each lane is the same as in FIG. 2-1.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One of the following two genes present in the genome of the monocytogenes bacterium is the target to be detected in the present invention.

TABLE 1 Gene name (*) Gene length Gene type Description lmo0084 984 CDS similar to oxidoreductases lmo2736 1134 CDS conserved hypothetical protein (*) In the genomic sequence information of GenBank Accession No. AL591824.1, the lmo0084 gene corresponds to the region of 86747-87744, and lmo2736 corresponds to the region of 2811788-2812921.

SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12 in SEQUENCE LISTING show base sequences of the lmo0084 gene in the serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 7, respectively, of the monocytogenes bacterium. SEQ ID NOs:13 to 25 show base sequences of the lmo2736 gene of the above individual serotypes of the monocytogenes bacterium (regarding 4b, two kinds of base sequences are shown as SEQ ID NOs:20 and 21). In the present description, specification of partial regions of each gene is carried out using, as a standard, the base sequence in the serotype 1/2a shown in SEQ ID NO:1 for the lmo0084 gene, or the base sequence in the serotype 1/2a shown in SEQ ID NO:13 for the lmo2736 gene. For example, “the region of position 306 to position 737 in the lmo0084 gene shown in SEQ ID NO:1” includes the region of position 306 to position 737 in the lmo0084 gene of various serotypes. The same applies to the lmo2736 gene. The accession numbers of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 25 are as shown below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 SEQ ID NO. Gene name Serotype Accession No. 1 lmo0084 1/2a NC_018592.1 2 lmo0084 1/2b NC_018587.1 3 lmo0084 1/2c NC_018588.1 4 lmo0084 3a NC_018593.1 5 lmo0084 3b NC_018586.1 6 lmo0084 3c NC_018589.1 7 lmo0084 4a NC_017529.1 8 lmo0084 4b NC_019556.1 9 lmo0084 4c NC_018590.1 10 lmo0084 4d NC_018584.1 11 lmo0084 4e NC_018585.1 12 lmo0084 7 NC_018591.1 13 lmo2736 1/2a NC_018592.1 14 lmo2736 1/2b NC_018587.1 15 lmo2736 1/2c NC_018588.1 16 lmo2736 3a NC_018593.1 17 lmo2736 3b NC_018586.1 18 lmo2736 3c NC_018589.1 19 lmo2736 4a NC_017529.1 20 lmo2736 4b NC_019556.1 21 lmo2736 4b NC_018642.1 22 lmo2736 4c NC_018590.1 23 lmo2736 4d NC_018584.1 24 lmo2736 4e NC_018585.1 25 lmo2736 7 NC_018591.1

The specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium can be carried out by a nucleic acid amplification method using a primer(s) for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, which primer(s) specifically hybridize(s) to a region in the lmo0084 gene or the lmo2736 gene. As the nucleic acid amplification method, various known methods such as the PCR method or the isothermal amplification method may be used. In the present invention, the term “primer” includes PCR primers and isothermal amplification primers. In the present invention, the PCR method means a nucleic acid amplification method in which the temperature is repeatedly changed to amplify a region of interest.

The term “specifically hybridizes” means that, under normal hybridization conditions, the primer hybridizes only to a target region, and does not substantially hybridize to other regions. The term “under normal hybridization conditions” means that a reaction is carried out under conditions used for annealing in normal PCR, for example, at an appropriate annealing temperature of about 54° C. to 60° C. using a common buffer such as 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3 to 9.0), 1.5 mM MgCl₂in cases of PCR using Taq polymerase. However, the appropriate annealing temperature is not limited to the above example, and may be determined based on the Tm value of the primer and an empirical rule by the experimenter. Those skilled in the art can easily determine the temperature. The term “does not substantially hybridize” means that the primer does not hybridize at all, or, even in cases where it hybridizes, a much smaller amount of the primer hybridizes compared to the case where the primer hybridizes to the target region, so that only a relatively ignorable, small amount of the primer hybridizes.

For detection of the amplification product obtained by the nucleic acid amplification method, any known detection method may be applied. In cases of the PCR method, the detection may be carried out by electrophoresis, the intercalation method, the quencher-mediated fluorescence detection method, or the like, and, in cases of the isothermal amplification method, the detection may be carried out by a method in which pyrophosphoric acid as an amplification by-product is insolubilized, the intercalation method, the quencher-mediated fluorescence detection method, or the like. Alternatively, the amplification product may be detected by nucleic acid chromatography.

The term “PCR method” also includes the real-time PCR method. In real-time PCR, detection and monitoring of the amplification product are commonly carried out by the intercalation method or the quencher-mediated fluorescence detection method. In the following Examples, a specific example of the real-time PCR detection system using the TaqMan (registered trademark) probe method as one example of the quencher-mediated fluorescence detection method is described. However, the detection method is not limited thereto, and a variety of methods may be employed.

In cases of nucleic acid chromatography, the detection is possible by carrying out nucleic acid amplification using a primer set for detection of the monocytogenes bacterium of the invention, and then developing the resulting amplification product on a strip on which a capture substance that specifically binds to the amplification product is immobilized in the shape of a line or the like. For capturing the amplification product, for example, a labeling compound such as biotin or DIG, or an arbitrary base sequence may be added to the 5-side of the forward or reverse primer, and a labeling-compound-specific binding substance such as avidin or an anti-DIG antibody, or an oligonucleotide probe having a base sequence complementary to the arbitrary base sequence may be immobilized as the capture substance on the strip. For further increasing the specificity of the detection, as the capture probe on the strip, a probe having a base sequence that specifically hybridizes to a certain partial sequence in the region amplified by the primers may be used. In order to provide such a capture probe, a partial region in the region amplified by the primers may be appropriately selected, and a probe capable of hybridizing to the amplification product of each serotype may be designed with reference to the base sequence of the lmo0084 gene of each serotype of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12 or the base sequence of the lmo2736 gene of each serotype of SEQ ID NOs:13 to 25. The detection system may be constructed in the same manner as in a known nucleic acid chromatography method, and examples of the detection system include coloring detection methods using an enzyme such as peroxidase or using particles such as colloidal gold or colored latex.

The isothermal amplification method is not limited, and various isothermal amplification methods such as the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method, the Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA) method, the Isothermal and Chimeric primer-initiated Amplification of Nucleic acids (ICAN) method, the Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA) method, and the Nicking Enzyme Amplification Reaction (NEAR) method may be employed. Examples of the isothermal amplification primers include the LAMP primers designed in the following Examples.

In the present invention, typical samples to be tested are samples collected from foods (including raw materials and processed foods). However, the samples to be tested are not limited thereto, and include a variety of samples whose test for the monocytogenes bacterium is desired, such as swabs from production lines and fingers of workers in food factories.

As a primer set to be used for the nucleic acid amplification method such as the PCR method or the isothermal amplification method for specifically detecting the monocytogenes bacterium distinctly from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria and from other food-poisoning microbes, a primer set which specifically hybridizes to a region in the lmo0084 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 may be used. The primer set may be designed taking into account the primer length, the GC content, the Tm value, bias of bases, contiguous sequences, complementarity inside and between primers, the molecular weight of the amplification product, genetic polymorphisms in the target region, and the like. In cases where the primer set is used in the PCR method, it may be designed to have a length of about 15 to 30 bases, a GC content of about 40 to 60%, and a Tm value of about 50 to 70° C. For a nucleic acid amplification method other than the PCR method, the primer set may be designed according to the principle of the method, for example, as in the LAMP method described below.

Each primer constituting such a primer set is generally preferably designed for a region having less sequence diversity among serotypes, but may also be designed in a region having a small number of genetic polymorphisms. In cases where the primer is designed for a region containing a genetic polymorphism(s), the primer may be designed such that a base substitution(s) reflecting the genetic polymorphism(s) is/are added to the gene sequence in the serotype 1/2a of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:13. The number of the base substitution(s) reflecting the genetic polymorphism(s) is preferably not more than 20%, more preferably not more than 15% per primer. More specifically, in cases of a primer having a chain length of 20 bases containing no additional sequence, the primer may be designed to have a sequence in which not more than 4, preferably not more than 3 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the 20-base region. In some cases, the thus designed primer may have a sequence identical to the sequence of a partial region of the gene sequence of another serotype, or the complementary strand thereof. In cases where primers containing substitutions at a genetic polymorphism site(s) are used, primers for the individual genetic polymorphisms may be used; a primer mixture prepared by mixing the primers for the individual genetic polymorphisms may be used; or a mixed primer synthesized such that the genetic polymorphism site(s) has/have mixed bases according to the genetic polymorphisms (for example, when some serotypes have G while other serotypes have C as the base at a certain site, a mixed primer prepared such that the base at the site is S (G or C)); may be used.

In the present invention, a primer for specifically detecting the monocytogenes bacterium may be designed such that the primer specifically hybridizes to any of the following regions (1) to (14) taking the above factors into account.

(1) The region of position 261 to position 325 of the lmo0084 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO0084-F286A (SEQ ID NO:26), LMO0084-F286B (SEQ ID NO:27), LMO0084-F281A (SEQ ID NO:28), and LMO0084-F281B (SEQ ID NO:29) in Examples are specific examples of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 261 to position 325. LMO0084-F286/M (SEQ ID NO:67) and LMO0084-F281/M (SEQ ID NO:68) are specific examples of a mixed forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to this region. Primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 in the 3″-side thereof, such as the LAMP primer LMO84 BIP (SEQ ID NO:45) in Examples, are specific examples of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 261 to position 325.

(2) The region of position 718 to position 777 of the lmo0084 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO0084-R757A (SEQ ID NO:30) and LMO0084-R757B (SEQ ID NO:31) in Examples are specific examples of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 718 to position 777. LMO0084-R757/M (SEQ ID NO:69) is a specific example of a mixed reverse primer that hybridizes to this region.

(3) The region of position 108 to position 166 of the lmo0084 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or the region complementary to this region.

Primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 in the 3′-side thereof, such as the LAMP primer LMO84 FIP (SEQ ID NO:44) in Examples, are specific examples of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 108 to position 166.

(4) The region of position 1 to position 47 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-F8 (SEQ ID NO:32) in Examples is a specific example of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 1 to position 47.

(5) The region of position 202 to position 261 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-F222 (SEQ ID NO:33) in Examples is a specific example of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 202 to position 261. LMO2736-F222/M (SEQ ID NO:70) is a specific example of a mixed forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to this region.

(6) The region of position 468 to position 527 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-F488 (SEQ ID NO:34) in Examples is a specific example of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 468 to position 527. LMO2736-F488/M (SEQ ID NO:71) is a specific example of a mixed forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to this region.

(7) The region of position 510 to position 569 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-F530 (SEQ ID NO:35) in Examples, and primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 or 62 in the 3′-side thereof, such as LMO2736-1 FIP (SEQ ID NO:48) and LMO2736-2 FIP (SEQ ID NO:52) in Examples, are specific examples of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 510 to position 569. LMO2736-F530/M (SEQ ID NO:72) is a specific example of a mixed forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to this region.

(8) The region of position 552 to position 611 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-F572 (SEQ ID NO:36) is a specific example of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 552 to position 611; LMO2736-F572/M (SEQ ID NO:73) is a specific example of a mixed forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to this region; and LMO2736-R591 (SEQ ID NO:38) is a specific example of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 552 to position 611.

(9) The region of position 137 to position 196 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-R176 (SEQ ID NO:37) in Examples is a specific example of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 137 to position 196.

(10) The region of position 646 to position 705 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-R685 (SEQ ID NO:39) in Examples is a specific example of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 646 to position 705. LMO2736-R685/M (SEQ ID NO:75) is a specific example of a mixed reverse primer that hybridizes to this region.

(11) The region of position 732 to position 791 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-R771 (SEQ ID NO:40) in Examples, and primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 in the 3′-side thereof, such as LMO2736-1 BIP (SEQ ID NO:49) and LMO2736-2 BIP (SEQ ID NO:53) in Examples, are specific examples of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 732 to position 791. LMO2736-R771/M (SEQ ID NO:76) is a specific example of a mixed reverse primer that hybridizes to this region.

(12) The region of position 953 to position 1012 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

LMO2736-R992 (SEQ ID NO:41) in Examples is a specific example of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 953 to position 1012.

(13) The region of position 496 to position 560 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

Primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 in the 3′-side thereof, such as the LAMP primer LMO2736-10 FIP (SEQ ID NO:56) in Examples, are specific examples of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region complementary to the region of position 496 to position 560.

(14) The region of position 721 to position 775 of the lmo2736 gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or the region complementary to this region.

Primers containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 in the 3′-side thereof, such as the LAMP primer LMO2736-10 BIP (SEQ ID NO:57) in Examples, are specific examples of a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region of position 721 to position 775.

The primers that specifically hybridize to the regions (1) to (3) of the lmo0084 gene may be, for example, primers each containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the region of position 261 to position 325, the region of position 718 to position 777, or the region of position 108 to position 166 in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or in the region complementary to any of these; or a sequence which is the same as this sequence except that not more than 20% of bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein.

The primers that specifically hybridize to the regions (4) to (14) of the lmo2736 gene may be, for example, primers each containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the region of position 1 to position 47, the region of position 202 to position 261, the region of position 468 to position 527, the region of position 510 to position 569, the region of position 552 to position 611, the region of position 137 to position 196, the region of position 646 to position 705, the region of position 732 to position 791, the region of position 953 to position 1012, the region of position 496 to position 560, or the region of position 721 to position 775 in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, or in the region complementary to any of these; or a sequence which is the same as this sequence except that not more than 20% of bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein.

Specific examples of a preferred sequence that can be employed for a primer for amplifying/detecting a partial region of the lmo0084 gene include SEQ ID NOs:26 to 31, 58, and 59. SEQ ID NOs:58 and 59 are 3′-side partial sequences of SEQ ID NOs:44 and 45, which are LAMP primer sequences (sequences of the F2 or B2 portion, which hybridize to target sites in the lmo0084 gene). SEQ ID NOs:26 to 29 and 58 are sequences of the sense strand of the lmo0084 gene, and can be used as the sequences of forward primers that hybridize to the antisense strand of the gene. SEQ ID NOs:30, 31, and 59 are sequences of the antisense strand of the lmo0084 gene, and can be used as sequences of reverse primers that hybridize to the sense strand of the gene.

Specific examples of a preferred sequence that can be employed for a primer for amplifying/detecting a partial region of the 1=2736 gene include SEQ ID NOs:32 to 41, and 60 to 64. SEQ ID NOs:60 to 64 are 3′-side partial sequences of SEQ ID NOs:48, 49, 52, 53, 56, and 57, which are LAMP primer sequences (sequences of the F2 or B2 portion, which hybridize to target sites in the lmo2736 gene). SEQ ID NOs:32 to 36, 60, 62, and 63 are sequences of the sense strand of the lmo2736 gene, and can be used as the sequences of forward primers that hybridize to the antisense strand of the gene. SEQ ID NOs:37 to 41, 61, and 64 are sequences of the antisense strand of the lmo2736 gene, and can be used as sequences of reverse primers that hybridize to the sense strand of the gene.

SEQ ID NOs:26 to 31 and SEQ ID NOs:32 to 41, which were mentioned as preferred specific examples of sequences that can be employed for primers for amplifying/detecting a partial region of the lmo0084 gene or the lmo2736 gene, can be used as LAMP primers by providing an additional sequence to the 5′-side thereof as described below.

Examples of the set of a forward primer and a reverse primer for amplification of a partial region of the lmo0084 gene or the lmo2736 gene of the monocytogenes bacterium, designed for the regions (1) to (14), include primer sets containing any of the following. The primer set may be PCR primers, or isothermal amplification primers such as LAMP primers.

(A) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (1) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (2).
(B) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (3) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (1).
(C) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (4) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (9).
(D) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (5) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (8).
(E) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (6) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (8).
(F) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (6) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (10).
(G) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (6) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (11).
(H) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (7) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (10).
(I) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (7) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (11).
(J) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (7) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (12).
(K) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (8) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (10).
(L) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (8) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (11).
(M) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (13) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (14).
(N) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (6) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (12).
(O) A set of a forward primer that hybridizes to the region (8) and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the region (12).

Specific examples of the sets (A) to (O) described above include the following sets. The alphabets correspond to the (A) to (O), respectively. For example, the following (A-1) to (A-10) are examples of the set (A).

(A-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F286A and LMO0084-R757A in the Examples described below.
(A-2) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F286A and LMO0084-R757B in the Examples described below.
(A-3) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F286B and LMO0084-R757A in the Examples described below.
(A-4) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F286B and LMO0084-R757B in the Examples described below.
(A-5) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F281A and LMO0084-R757A in the Examples described below.
(A-6) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F281A and LMO0084-R757B in the Examples described below.
(A-7) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F281B and LMO0084-R757A in the Examples described below.
(A-8) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F281B and LMO0084-R757B in the Examples described below.
(A-9) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F286/M and LMO0084-R757/M in the Examples described below.
(A-10) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO0084-F281/M and LMO0084-R757/M in the Examples described below.
(B-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:59, preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of the LAMP primers LMO84 FIP and LMO84 BIP in the Examples described below.
(C-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F8 and LMO2736-R176 in the Examples described below.
(D-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:33, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F222 and LMO2736-R591 in the Examples described below.
(D-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:70, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3″-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F222/M and LMO2736-R591/M in the Examples described below.
(E-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488 and LMO2736-R591 in the Examples described below.
(E-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488/M and LMO2736-R591/M in the Examples described below.
(F-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488 and LMO2736-R685 in the Examples described below.
(F-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488/M and LMO2736-R685/M in the Examples described below.
(G-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488 and LMO2736-R771 in the Examples described below.
(G-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488/M and LMO2736-R771/M in the Examples described below.
(H-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530 and LMO2736-R685 in the Examples described below.
(H-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530/M and LMO2736-R685/M in the Examples described below.
(I-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3″-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530 and LMO2736-R771 in the Examples described below.
(I-2) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:60, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61, preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of the LAMP primers LMO2736-1 FIP and LMO2736-1 BIP in the Examples described below.
(I-3) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:62, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61, preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of the LAMP primers LMO2736-2 FIP and LMO2736-2 BIP in the Examples described below.
(I-4) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530/M and LMO2736-R771/M in the Examples described below.
(J-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530 and LMO2736-R992 in the Examples described below.
(J-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F530/M and LMO2736-R992 in the Examples described below.
(K-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F572 and LMO2736-R685 in the Examples described below
(K-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F572/M and LMO2736-R685/M in the Examples described below.
(L-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F572 and LMO2736-R771 in the Examples described below.
(L-2) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F572/M and LMO2736-R771/M in the Examples described below.
(M-1) A set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases, more preferably not less than 20 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:63, still more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of the LAMP primers LMO2736-10 FIP and LMO2736-10 BIP in the Examples described below.
(N-1) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F488/M and LMO2736-R992 in the Examples described below.
(O-1) A set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side a sequence having not less than 15 consecutive bases, preferably not less than 18 consecutive bases in the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, more preferably the full-length sequence of the base sequence, or a sequence which is the same as the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) therein. Specific examples of this set include the set of LMO2736-F572/M and LMO2736-R992 in the Examples described below.

A primer containing a particular sequence in its 3′-side includes a primer in which an arbitrary sequence is added to the 5′-side of the particular sequence, and a primer composed of the particular sequence. For example, a primer containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 in its 3′-side includes a primer in which an arbitrary sequence is added to the 5′-side of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, and a primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26.

Preferred specific examples of the genetic polymorphism sites in the base sequences described in (A-1) to (0-1) are as follows. Preferred specific examples of the primers containing a base substitution include primers each containing in its 3′-side a sequence in which at least one base selected from the following specific examples of genetic polymorphism sites is substituted. These specific examples are genetic polymorphism sites specified based on an alignment of the 12 kinds of lmo0084 gene sequences of 12 serotypes of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12, and an alignment of the 13 kinds of lmo2736 gene sequences of 12 serotypes of SEQ ID NOs:13 to 25. It should noted, however, that genetic polymorphism sites other than the following specific examples may be found in cases where gene sequences of monocytogenes bacterial strains of other serotypes or other monocytogenes bacterial strains of the same serotypes are further taken into account, and that base substitutions in such sites are acceptable in the present invention. Thus, the genetic polymorphism sites in the sequences in the present invention are not limited to the following specific examples.

SEQ ID NO:26: position 6, position 15, and position 16
SEQ ID NO:27: position 6, position 15, and position 16
SEQ ID NO:28: position 2, position 11, and position 20
SEQ ID NO:29: position 2, position 11, and position 20
SEQ ID NO:30: position 8 and position 11
SEQ ID NO:31: position 8 and position 11
SEQ ID NO:33: position 5, position 18, and position 20
SEQ ID NO:34: position 5 and position 8
SEQ ID NO:35: position 5 and position 11
SEQ ID NO:36: position 5 and position 11
SEQ ID NO:38: position 10 and position 16
SEQ ID NO:39: position 14, position 15, and position 16
SEQ ID NO:40: position 7
SEQ ID NO:58: position 5, position 9, position 11, and position 14
SEQ ID NO:59: position 1 and position 10
SEQ ID NO:60: position 7 and position 13
SEQ ID NO:61: position 5
SEQ ID NO:62: position 7 and position 13
SEQ ID NO:63: position 1, position 4, position 19, and position 25
SEQ ID NO:64: position 6 and position 15

Preferred specific examples of the arbitrary additional sequence that may be present in the 5′-side of the primer include an additional sequence for construction of a LAMP primer. By selecting an arbitrary partial region positioned in the inner side relative to the target region of the primer, and adding the complementary strand of the partial region to the 5′-side of the primer, a LAMP primer can be constructed. Software for designing LAMP primers is known, and such known software can be used for designing LAMP primers for specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium based on the specific primer setting regions (1) to (14) described above.

In the designing of a LAMP primer, the regions F3, F2, F1, B1, B2, and B3, located in this order from the 5′-upstream side, are necessary. A LAMP primer set is constituted with an FIP primer, in which the complementary sequence (the sequence of the antisense strand) of the F1 sequence is added to the 5′-end of F2; a BIP primer, in which the complementary sequence (the sequence of the sense strand) of the B1 sequence is added to the 5′-end of B2; a forward primer that hybridizes to the F3 region, and a reverse primer that hybridizes to the B3 region. The specific primer setting regions (1) to (14) described above may be employed for at least one of F2 and B2 among these, preferably for both of these. When the design is based on the primer sets of (a) to (v), in cases where the amplification size of the set is about 200 to 300 bp, both F2 and B2 may be selected such that they overlap with the primer setting regions. In cases where the amplification size of the set is outside this range, one of F2 and B2 may be selected such that it overlaps with the primer setting regions, and the other may be appropriately selected from candidate sequences proposed by the software.

The following (i) to (iv) are LAMP primer sets each of which was designed based on the set of LMO0084-F286A and LMO0084-R757B, which is one example of the primer set of (A-2), and the set of LMO2736-F530 and LMO2736-R771, which is one example of the primer set of (I-1). Preferred specific examples of the LAMP primer set for detection of the monocytogenes bacterium include these sets.

(i) A set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:42, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:43, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:45.
(ii) A set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, an HP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:49.
(iii) A set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:53.
(iv) A set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:55, an HP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:57.

Isothermal amplification primers used of methods other than the LAMP method may also be designed using known software or the like based on the specific primer setting regions (1) to (14) described above.

Preferred specific examples of the probe for detection of the PCR amplification product include probes containing oligonucleotide portions having the following sequences. The probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 is a mixed probe of a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion in which n---n is T---A (SEQ ID NO:78), and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion in which n---n is C---C(SEQ ID NO:79). Similarly, the probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:86 is a mixed probe of a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion in which n----n is G----G (SEQ ID NO:83), and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion in which n----n is C----C(SEQ ID NO:84).

<Probes for LMO0084 Gene> (SEQ ID NO: 77) TATTACATTCATAGAATTGACCC (set at position 366 to position 389) (SEQ ID NO: 85) ATCTGGTGGCGAGAAGCnGAAnA (set at position 535 to position 558; nGAAn is TGAAA or CGAAC) (SEQ ID NO: 80) TACCAAGATTCCAAAAAGAAGCCATG (set at position 686 to position 711) <Probes for LMO2736 Gene> (SEQ ID NO: 81) AAAAAAGGCTGGACTAAAGC (set at position 70 to position 89) (SEQ ID NO: 82) ACGTCAAAAAAATCATTATC (set at position 372 to position 393) (SEQ ID NO: 86) GTTTTCGGTGCTCAAAAAGGnGCAAnTCC (set at position 619 to position 647; nGCAAn is GGCAAG or CGCAAC)

Each of the probe of SEQ ID NO:85 and the probe of SEQ ID NO:86 is a mixed probe of two kinds of oligonucleotide probes. The mixing ratio of these two kinds of probes, in terms of the molar ratio, may be about 1:5 to 5:1, for example, about 1:2 to 2:1, or about 1:1.5 to 1.5:1. The probes can be preferably used at a mixing ratio of 1:1.

Since the position where each probe is set is as described above, the probe may be used in combination with a primer set which amplifies a region containing this set region. A probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having these sequences can be preferably used as a capture probe for nucleic acid chromatography or a probe for real-time PCR. In cases where the probe is used as a real-time PCR probe, the 5′-end and the 3′-end of the oligonucleotide may be modified with a fluorescent substance and a quencher substance. It is common to modify the 5′-end with a fluorescent substance, and the 3′-end with a quencher substance. Especially preferred combinations of the primers and the probe are described in Table 23 and Table 25 in the following Examples.

Examples

The present invention is described below more concretely by way of Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

I. Search for Target Genes

Conventional products for gene testing of the monocytogenes bacterium target pathogenicity genes of the monocytogenes bacterium, such as the hlyA gene, clpC gene, inlA gene, and plcA gene. However, they are not capable of distinguishing the monocytogenes bacterium from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria. Aiming at establishment of a primer set capable of distinguishing the monocytogenes bacterium from other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria with high accuracy, a study was carried out using genes other than the pathogenicity genes described above as targets.

First, the site of http://genolist.pasteur.fr/ListiList/ was used. The information on monocytogenes in Accession No. NC_003210.1 and innocua in Accession No. NC_003212.1 on this site was utilized. Listeria innocua (number of genes: 3068) and Listeria monocytogenes (number of genes: 2941), which belong to the genus Listeria, were subjected to comparative genomic analysis to narrow down monocytogenes-specific genes to 296 genes.

Subsequently, for each of the selected 296 genes, BLAST search was carried out against a database to investigate whether or not the gene can be confirmed to be present in the genome sequences of all isolated strains of monocytogenes of each serotype deposited therein. Genes whose presence could not be confirmed in any of the isolated strains were excluded from the candidates. Examples of the search results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Serotype LM000038 LM000077 LM000313 LMO02387 LMO02736 L. monocytogenes 1/2a 18 18 1 18 18 L. monocytogenes 1/2b 5 5 2 5 5 L. monocytogenes 1/2c 2 2 2 2 2 L. monocytogenes 3a 2 2 0 2 2 L. monocytogenes 3b 1 1 0 1 1 L. monocytogenes 3c 1 1 1 1 1 L. monocytogenes 4a 0 3 0 3 3 L. monocytogenes 4b 12 12 5 12 12 L. monocytogenes 4c 1 1 0 1 1 L. monocytogenes 4d 1 1 0 1 1 L. monocytogenes 4e 0 0 0 1 1 L. monocytogenes 7 1 1 0 1 1 There is/are There is/are There is/are The The an isolated an isolated an isolated presence of presence of strain(s) for strain(s) for strain(s) for the gene the gene which the which the which the could be could be presence of presence of presence of confirmed confirmed the gene the gene the gene in genomic in genomic cannot be cannot be cannot be sequences sequences confirmed. confirmed. confirmed. of all of all ↓ ↓ ↓ isolated isolated Excluded Excluded Excluded strains strains from from from deposited. deposited. candidates candidates candidates ↓ ↓ Selected as Selected as a candidate a candidate

By this, the candidate genes were finally narrowed down to 6 genes (LMO 0083, LMO 0084, LMO 0444, LMO 0833, LMO 2387, and LMO 2736).

For each of the 6 genes, a plurality of PCR primers were designed, and PCR was actually carried out for the 6 strains of the monocytogenes bacterium (serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 4a, 4b, and 4d) and 3 strains of other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria (L. innocua, L. grayi, and L. ivanovii), to study specificity to the monocytogenes bacterium. Based on comparison among sequences of various serotypes of monocytogenes (using the sequences of the accession numbers described above in Table 2), the PCR primers in this study were designed such that they target common regions. As a result, with LMO 0083, LMO 0444, LMO 0833, and MLO 2387, detection of some of the 6 strains was unsuccessful, or amplification occurred with other bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria. Thus, design of a primer set having high specificity was difficult therewith. For example, in the case of the LMO0833 gene, specificity was obtained since no amplification of the bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria was found as a result of combination of the primer F329 (ggaaagcaattgtccactcga; SEQ ID NO:65) and the primer R610 (tgttggtgagtagcgtggaa; SEQ ID NO:66). However, monocytogenes of the serotype 4a also did not show the amplification. Table 4 shows examples of the PCR results for the candidate genes. With LMO 0084 and LMO 2736, specific amplification products were obtained only from the 6 strains of the monocytogenes bacterium. For comparison, two commercially available kits for gene testing of the monocytogenes bacterium were used for detection of the same bacterial strains. As a result, neither of these succeeded in specific detection of the monocytogenes bacteria used herein (Table 4). From these results, the candidate genes were narrowed down to LMO 0084 and LMO 2736, and construction of monocytogenes bacterium-specific primers was attempted therewith.

TABLE 4 L. monocytogenes L. monocytogenes L. monocytogenes L. monocytogenes L. monocytogenes GTC02947 GTC02948 JCM7672 JCM7674 JCM7675 Gene name Description 1/2a 1/2b 1/2C 4a 4b LMO 0083 similar to transcription − + + + + regulator LMO 0084 similar to oxidoreductases + + + + + LMO 0444 conserved hypothetical + + + − − protein LMO 0833 similar to transcription + + + − + regulator LMO 2387 conserved hypothetical + + + + + protein LMO 2736 conserved hypothetical + + + + + protein hlyA gene Pathogenic Bacterial + + + − − Multiplex PCR Detection kit TA10 (TAKARA: RR106A) (Unknown) mericon L. monocytogenes + + + + + Kit (QIAGEN: 290023) L. monocytogenes L. gayi L. innocua L. Ivaimii JCM7680 GTC02964T GTC16426T JCM7681 Gene name Description 4d − − − LMO 0083 similar to transcription + − − − regulator LMO 0084 similar to oxidoreductases + − − LMO 0444 conserved hypothetical − − − − protein LMO 0833 similar to transcription + − − − regulator LMO 2387 conserved hypothetical + + − + protein LMO 2736 conserved hypothetical + − − − protein hlyA gene Pathogenic Bacterial − − − − Multiplex PCR Detection kit TA10 (TAKARA: RR106A) (Unknown) mericon L. monocytogenes + + + + Kit (QIAGEN: 290023)

II. Construction of Monocytogenes Bacterium-Specific Primer Sets

Base sequences of the two genes LMO 0084 and LMO 2736 in various serotypes, identified by the narrowing down as described above, were studied in more detail, and a large number of primers were designed therefrom. By performing a PCR study using an increased number of bacterial strains, construction of primers for specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium with high accuracy was attempted.

<Methods> 1. Bacterial Strains Used

The bacterial strains subjected to the PCR test (Table 5-1 to Table 5-3) were obtained from Microbe Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (JCM); Center for Conservation of Microbial Genetic Resource, Organization for Research and Community Development, Gifu University (GTC); Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (IFO); JA Zen-noh Institute of Animal Health (JA); and Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Tokyo (IMCB).

TABLE 5-1 Monocytogenes bacterium Bacterial strain No. Microorganism name Resource name Serotype 1 L. monocytogenes GTC02947 1/2a 2 L. monocytogenes GTC02948 1/2b 3 L. monocytogenes JCM7672 1/2c 4 L. monocytogenes JCM7673 3a 5 L. monocytogenes JCM7677 3b 6 L. monocytogenes JCM7678 3c 7 L. monocytogenes JCM7674 4a 8 L. monocytogenes JCM7675 4b 9 L. monocytogenes JCM7680 4d 10 L. monocytogenes GTC02957 5

TABLE 5-2 Bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium Bacterial strain No. Microorganism name Resource name 11 L. ivanovii GTC02961 12 L. ivanovii subsp. ivanovii JCM7681 13 L. ivanovii subsp. ivanovii GTC01640T 14 L. ivanovii subsp. londoniensis GTC01641 15 L. innocua GTC16426T 16 L. innocua GTC02960 17 L. welshimeri GTC02963T 18 L. seeligeri GTC16428T 19 L. grayi GTC02964T 20 L. murrayi GTC02964 21 L. marthii GTC16430T 22 L. rocourtiae GTC16429T

TABLE 5-3 Food-poisoning bacteria other than Listeria bacteria which tend to cause problems in the field of foods Bacterial strain No. Microorganism name Resource name Serotype 23 Escherichia coli ATCC10798 24 Salmonella subsp. enterica (I) JA.107 Type I 25 Salmonella subsp. salamae (II) JA.125 Type II 26 Salmonella subsp. JA.76 Type IIIa arizonae (IIIa) 27 Salmonella subsp. JA.129 Type IIIb diarizinae (IIIb) 28 Salmonella subsp. houtenae (IV) JA.n-22 Type IV 29 Salmonella bongori (V) JA.94 Type V 30 Salmonella subsp. ATCC43971 enterica Typhimurium 31 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538P 32 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 33 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 34 Staphylococcus aureus JMC2197 35 Staphylococcus aureus IMCB.IMA2 36 Staphylococcus cohnii ATCC29974 37 Staphylococcus haemolyticus ATCC29970 38 Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. ATCC11249 39 Staphylococcus intermedius ATCC29663 40 Staphylococcus saprophyticus ATCC15305 41 Citrobacter freundii ATCC8090 42 Citrobacter freundii ATCC8043 43 Proteus vulgaris IFO3988 44 Lactobacillus bulgaricus IFO13953 45 Lactobacillus helveticus IFO3809 46 Streptococcus sp. IFO3535 47 Streptococcus sanguis ATCC10558 48 Streptococcus mitis ATCC6249

2. Primers and PCR Reaction Conditions

Various primers were designed based on sequence information for the lmo0084 gene (SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12) and the lmo2736 gene (SEQ ID NOs:13 to 25) in various serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes. Table 6 shows part of those sequences. For the lmo0084 gene, primers of SEQ ID NOs:26, 28, and 30 were designed such that they reflect genetic polymorphism in the serotype 1/2a of the monocytogenes bacterium, and primers of SEQ ID NOs:27, 29, and 31 were designed such that they reflect genetic polymorphism in the serotype 4a. For the lmo2736 gene, primers of SEQ ID NOs:32, 37, and 41 were designed such that they reflect common sequences among the various serotypes of the monocytogenes bacterium, and primers of SEQ ID NOs:33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, and 40 were designed such that they reflect genetic polymorphism in the serotype 1/2c of the monocytogenes bacterium. The designed PCR primers were synthesized by custom synthesis by Fasmac Co., Ltd. Template DNA was obtained by extracting genomic DNA from each bacterial strain using a mericon DNA Bacteria Plus Kit (QIAGEN).

TABLE 6 Oligonucleotide SEQ ID Target gene name ^a) Sequence ^b) Setting position ^c) NO. lmo0084 LMO0084-F286A AGCCGTCCAGAAAGCATCAA 286 to 305 26 -----*--------**---- LMO0084-F286B AGCCGCCCAGAAAGTCTCAA 286 to 305 27 -----*--------**---- LMO0084-F281A TCGATAGCCGTCCAGAAAGC 281 to 300 28 -*--------*--------* LMO0084-F281B TTGATAGCCGCCCAGAAAGT 281 to 300 29 -*--------*--------* LMO0084-R757A GCTCGTCGGCGATTTCTTTC 738 to 757 30 -------*--*--------- LMO0084-R757B GCTCGTCGGCTATTTCTTTC 738 to 757 31 -------*--*--------- lmo2736 LMO2736-F8 TCGTCATCGCACCTGATTCA 8 to 27 32 -------------------- LMO2736-F222 GGCCTCCTACGGTATTCACG 222 to 241 33 ----*------------*-* LMO2736-F488 CCGGTGGCATTCATTTGCAA 488 to 507 34 ----*--*------------ LMO2736-F530 GCAACCTTAACCCAAAGCTG 530 to 549 35 ----*-----*--------- LMO2736-F572 CCTGTGACGTSACGAATCCA 572 to 591 36 ----*-----*--------- LMO2736-R176 TCCACCTCGGAAGACTCACT 157 to 176 37 -------------------- LMO2736-R591 TGGATTCGTCACGTCACAGG 572 to 591 38 ---------*-----*---- LMO2736-R685 AGTTCTGCATGGCGTTCTCT 666 to 685 39 -------------***---- LMO2736-R771 TAGTCCAGCAGCGATACCAC 752 to 771 40 ------*------------- LMO2736-R992 TTGTTTTCGAGTGCAAGGCT 973 to 992 41 -------------------- ^a)In the oligonucleotide names, F represents “forward”, and R represents “reverse”. ^b)* represents a base showing polymorphism based on comparison among the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 25. ^c)The setting position is described using as a standard SEQ ID NO: 1 in the cases of the primers targeting lmo0084, and SEQ ID NO: 13 in the cases of the primers targeting lmo2736.

The composition of the PCR reaction liquid is shown below in Table 7. The PCR was carried out using GeneAmp PCR System 9700. The reaction cycle was as follows: 94° C. for 2 minutes→(94° C. for 20 seconds→60° C. for 20 seconds→72° C. for 40 seconds)×30 cycles→72° C. for 7 minutes→4° C.

TABLE 7 Liquid volume Reagent Manufacturer Code. No. (μL) TaKaRa Ex Taq (5 U/μl) TaKaRa RR01AM 0.2 10 × Ex Taq Buffer (Mg²⁺ free) TaKaRa RR01AM 2.0 MgCl₂(25 mM) TaKaRa RR01AM 1.6 dNTP Mixture (2.5 mM each) TaKaRa RR01AM 1.6 100 μM Primer F Fasmac — 0.1 100 μM Primer R Fasmac — 0.1 D.W. — — 12.4 1 ng/μT Template DNA — — 2.0 Per tube 20.0

3. Selective Isolation Medium for Monocytogenes

Various bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria were plated on ALOA agar medium (Sysmex Corporation) or CHROMagar medium (Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.), and cultured at 37° C. for about 24 hours, followed by observation of colonies. The monocytogenes bacterium forms bluish-green colonies accompanied by milky-white halos on ALOA agar medium, and blue colonies accompanied by milky-white halos on CHROMagar medium.

<Results>

In the halo formation test, all strains of the monocytogenes bacterium showed formation of halos to give positive results although some strains such as the bacterial strain No. 4 partially showed colonies forming no halo. On the other hand, L. ivanovii (bacterial strain Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14) and L. seeligeri (bacterial strain No. 18) showed false-positive results. No colony formation was found for 26 food-poisoning bacterial strains other than those of the genus Listeria (bacterial strain Nos. 23 to 48). Part of the results of the halo test are shown in FIG. 2-1 to FIG. 2-3.

As a result of study using various combinations of the designed primers, the monocytogenes bacterium could be specifically detected with the combinations shown in Table 8-1 to Table 8-4 independent of genetic polymorphism. None of these combinations produced a PCR product having the specific size from bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium (bacterial strain Nos. 11 to 22), or from the other 26 food-poisoning bacterial strains (bacterial strain Nos. 23 to 48) (Table 9-1 to Table 9-6). Examples of the PCR results are shown in FIG. 2-1 and FIG. 2-2.

Since L. ivanovii and L. seeligeri form halos similarly to the monocytogenes bacterium on ALOA agar medium and CHIROMagar medium, which are commonly used for selective isolation of the monocytogenes bacterium, they cannot be easily distinguished from the monocytogenes bacterium. However, with the primer sets shown in Table 8-1 to Table 8-4, various isolated bacterial strains of these bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria showed no amplification, giving negative results. On the other hand, the monocytogenes bacterial strain JMC7673 (bacterial strain No. 4 in the tables) could also be detected as the monocytogenes bacterium in spite of the fact that it also produces colonies forming no halo. Thus, it could be confirmed that the primer sets shown in Table 8-1 to Table 8-4 have very high specificities to the monocytogenes bacterium. It could be further confirmed that those primer sets are superior to the conventional monocytogenes bacterium detection PCR kits shown in Table 3.

TABLE 8-1 PCR for detection of the lmo0084 gene, and halo formation primer SEQ SEQ Amplification Bacterial strain No. (monocytogenes bacterium) set No. F primer ID NO. R primer ID NO. size (bp) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 F286A 26 R757A 30 471 + + + + + + + + + + 8 F286A 26 R757B 31 471 + + + + + + + + + + 14 F286B 27 R757A 30 471 + + + + + + + + + + 16 F286B 27 R757B 31 471 + + + + + + + + + + 2 F281A 28 R757A 30 476 + + + + + + + + + + 4 F281A 28 R757B 31 476 + + + + + + + + + + 10 F281B 29 R757A 30 476 + + + + + + + + + + 12 F281B 29 R757B 31 476 + + + + + + + + + + Halo formation (+) (+) (+) (+/−) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+)

TABLE 8-2 PCR for detection of the lmo0084 gene, and halo formation Bacterial strain No. (bacteria belonging to the genus primer Amplification Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium) set No. F primer R primer size (bp) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 6 F286A R7C7A 471 − − − − − − − − − − − − 8 F286A R757B 471 − − − − − − − − − − − − 14 F286B R7S7A 471 − − − − − − − − − − − − 16 F286B R757B 471 − − − − − − − − − − − − 2 F281A R757A 476 − − − − − − − − − − − − 4 F281A R757B 476 − − − − − − − − − − − − 10 F281B R757A 476 − − − − − − − − − − − − 12 F281B R757B 476 − − − − − − − − − − − − Halo formation (+) (+) (+) (+) (−) (−) (−) (+) (−) (−) (−) (−)

TABLE 8-3 PCR for detection of the lmo2736 gene, and halo formation primer SEQ SEQ Amplification Bacterial strain No. (monocytogenes bacterium) set No. F primer ID NO. R primer ID NO. size (bp) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 F8 32 R176 37 168 + + + + + + + + + + 3 F222 33 R591 38 369 + + + + + + + + + + 4 F488 34 R591 38 103 + + + + + + + + + + 5 F488 34 R685 39 197 + + + + + + + + + + 6 F488 34 R771 40 283 + + + + + + + + + + 9 F530 35 R685 39 155 + + + + + + + + + + 10 F530 35 R771 40 241 + + + + + + + + + + 12 F530 35 R992 41 462 + + + + + + + + + + 13 F572 36 R685 39 113 + + + + + + + + + + 14 F572 36 R771 40 199 + + + + + + + + + + Halo formation (+) (+) (+) (+/−) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+)

TABLE 8-4 PGR for detection of the lmo2736 gene, and halo formation Bacterial strain No. (bacteria belonging to the genus primer Amplification Listeria other than the monocytogenes bacterium) set No. F primer R primer size (bp) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − − − − − − − − − 3 F222 R591 369 − − − − − − − − − − − − 4 F488 R591 103 − − − − − − − − − − − − 5 F488 R685 197 − − − − − − − − − − − − 6 F488 R771 283 − − − − − − − − − − − − 9 F530 R685 155 − − − − − − − − − − − − 10 F530 R771 241 − − − − − − − − − − − − 12 F530 R992 462 − − − − − − − − − − − − 13 F572 R685 113 − − − − − − − − − − − − 14 F572 R771 199 − − − − − − − − − − − − Halo formation (+) (+) (+) (+) (−) (−) (−) (+) (−) (−) (−) (−)

TABLE 9-1 24 25 26 27 Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella 23 subsp. subsp. subsp. subsp. Escherichia enterica salamae arizonae diariznae LMO 00084 coli (I) (II) (IIIa) (IIIb) No. primer F primer R size ATCC10798 JA.107 JA.125 JA.76 JA.129 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − − − − 28 30 Salmonella 29 Salmonella subsp. Salmonella subsp. 31 houtenae bongori enterica Staphylococcus LMO 00084 (IV) (V) Typhimurium aureus No. primer F primer R size JA.n-22 JA.94 ATCC43971 ATCC6538P 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − − −

TABLE 9-2 32 33 34 35 36 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO 00084 aureus aureus aureus aureus cohnii No. primer F primer R size ATCC25923 ATCC29213 JMC2197 IMCB.IMA2 ATCC29974 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − − − − 37 38 39 40 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO 00084 haemolyticus hyicus subsp. intermedius saprophyticus No. primer F primer R size ATCC29970 ATCC11249 ATCC29663 ATCC15305 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − − −

TABLE 9-3 41 42 43 44 45 Citrobacter Cilrobacter Proteus Lactbacillus Lactbacillus LMO 00084 freundii freundii vulgaris bulgarius halveticus No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC8090 ATCC8043 IFO3988 IFO13953 IFO3809 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − − − − 46 47 48 Streptcoccus Streptcoccus Streptcoccus LMO 00084 sp. sanguis mitis No. primer: F primer: R size IFO3535 ATCC10558 ATCC6249 6 286 A 757 A 471 − − − 8 286 A 757 B 471 − − − 14 286 B 757 A 471 − − − 16 286 B 757 B 471 − − − 2 281 A 757 A 476 − − − 4 281 A 757 B 476 − − − 10 281 B 757 A 476 − − − 12 281 B 757 B 476 − − −

TABLE 9-4 24 25 26 27 28 Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella 23 subsp. subsp subsp subsp subsp Escherichia enterica salamae arizonae dianzinae houtenae LMO 02736 coli (I) (II) (IIIa) (IIIb) (IV) No primer: F printer: R size ATCC10798 JA.107 JA.125 JA.76 JA.129 JA.n-22 1 8 176 168 − − − − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − − − − 14 572 771 199 − − − − − − 30 29 Salmonella Salmonela subsp 31 bongori enterica Staphylococcus LMO 02736 (V) Typhimurium aureus No primer: F printer: R size JA.94 ATCC43971 ATCC6538P 1 8 176 168 − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − 14 572 771 199 − − −

TABLE 9-5 32 33 34 35 36 37 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO 02736 aurous aureus aureus aureus cohnii haemotyticus No primer: F primer: R size ATCC25923 ATCC29213 JMC2197 IMCB.IMA2 ATCC29974 ATCC29970 1 8 176 168 − − − − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − − − − 14 572 771 199 − − − − − − 38 39 40 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO 02736 hyicus subsp. intermedius saprophyticus No primer: F primer: R size ATCC11249 ATCC29663 ATCC15305 1 8 176 168 − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − 14 572 771 199 − − −

TABLE 9-6 41 42 43 44 45 Citrobacter Citrobacter Proteus Lactbacillus Lactbacillus LMO 02736 freundii freundii vulgaris bulgarius helveticus No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC8090 ATCC8043 IFO3988 IFO13953 IFO3809 1 8 176 168 − − − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − − − 14 572 771 199 − − − − − 46 47 48 Streptcoccus Streptcoccus Streptcoccus LMO 02736 sp. sanguis mitis No. primer: F primer: R size IFO3535 ATCC10558 ATCC6249 1 8 176 168 − − − 3 222 591 369 − − − 4 488 591 103 − − − 5 488 685 197 − − − 6 488 771 283 − − − 8 488 992 504 − − − 9 530 685 155 − − − 10 530 771 241 − − − 12 530 992 462 − − − 10 572 685 113 − − − 14 572 771 199 − − −

<Designing of LAMP Primers>

LAMP primers were designed based on the primer set F286A/R757B, which targets the lmo0084 gene, and the primer set F530/R771, which targets the lmo2736 gene. For the designing of the primers, LAMP Designer 1.14 (manufactured by OptiGene Limited), which is known support software for designing primers for the LAMP method, was used.

[Designing of LAMP Method Primers Targeting lmo0084]
1. The search region was entered as 1 to 984.
2. The range from F2 to B2 was entered as 150 to 300.
3. Sequences were predicted for the sets of F3/B3, F2/B2, and F1/B1 by the software.
4. Sets were selected such that one of F2 and B2 overlaps with the PCR primer F286A or R757B.
5. Optimization was carried out to select sets in which both F2 and B2 sequences overlap with the primers F286A and R757B.

[Designing of LAMP Method Primers Targeting Lmo2736]

1. The search region was entered as 491 to 811.
2. The range from F2 to B2 was entered as 150 to 300.
3. The range from F1 to B1 was entered as 100 to 200.
4. Sequences were predicted for the sets of F3/B3, F2/B2, and F1/B1 by the software.
5. Sets were selected such that F2/B2 overlaps with the PCR primer F530 or R771.
6. The LAMP method was actually carried out with the designed primers, and optimization was carried out mainly for the F2/B2 selected.

The thus obtained LAMP primer sets for specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium are shown below. The lmo0084 LAMP primer set was designed such that it reflects the genetic polymorphism in the serotype 1/2a of the monocytogenes bacterium. The lmo2736 LAMP primer sets were designed such that they reflect the genetic polymorphism in the serotype 1/2c of the monocytogenes bacterium except for SEQ ID NO:64. As a result of detection tests using the above bacterial strains, all of the primer sets were found to have specificity to the monocytogenes bacterium without being influenced by the genetic polymorphisms, as shown below in Table 14-1 to Table 14-3.

TABLE 10 lmo0084 LAMP primer set SEQ Sequence (5′ → 3′) ID No. Setting position LMO84 F3 AAATGATTGAAGTCGTACGC 42 104-123 LMO84 B3 GCAACCTCTTCAATTGGGATA 43 384-404 LMO84 FIP CTAAAGCTTCTCCGACAAGTTCAATGGATGCAGGGATTAC 44 191-211 (F1) ----*---*-*--*----- 128-146 (F2) LMO84 BIP AGAAACCATGTTCAAATTGCAAGAGCTTTCTGGACGGCTATC 45 220-243 (B1) *--------*-------- 283-300 (B2) SEQ ID NO: 58 shows the sequence of the F2 portion in the 3′-side of FIP, and SEQ ID NO: 59 shows the sequence of the B2 portion in the 3′-side of BIP. In the F2 portion and the B2 portion, * represents a base showing polymorphism based on comparison among the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 25.

TABLE 11 lmo2736 LAMP primer set 1 SEQ Sequence (5′ → 3′) ID NO. Setting position LMO2736-1 F3 GAACTAGCCTACATTGATGC 46 508-527 LMO2736-1 B3 TTGAACCGCTTAATAAGTCTG 47 788-808 LMO2736-1 FIP TTCGTCACGTCACAGGCTATCAGCAACCTTAACCCAAAG 48 568-587 (F1) ------*-----*------ 528-546 (F2) LMO2736-1 BIP GGAGCAAAACTCGACCAATTTTCGTCCAGGAGCGATACCAC 49 688-710 (B1) ----*------------- 752-769 (B2) SEQ ID NO: 60 shows the sequence of the F2 portion in the 3′-side of FIP, and SEQ ID NO: 61 shows the sequence of the 82 portion in the 3′-side of BIP. In the F2 portion and the B2 portion, * represents a base showing polymorphism based on comparison among the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 25.

TABLE 12 lmo2736 LAMP primer set 2 SEQ Sequence (5′ → 3′) ID NO. Setting position LMO2736-2 F3 CAAGAACTAGCCTACATTGATG 50 505-526 LMO2736-2 B3 TCTGCATTTAGGAAGGGCATT 51 771-791 LMO2736-2 FIP TTCGTCACGTCACAGGCTATCAGCAACCTTAACCCAAAGC 52 568-587 (F1) ------*-----*------- 528-547 (F2) LMO2736-2 BIP GGAGCAAAACTCGACCAATTTTC-GTCCAGCAGCGATACCAC 53 688-710 (B1) ----*------------- 752-769 (B2) SEQ ID NO: 62 shows the sequence of the F2 portion in the 3′-side of FIP, and SEQ ID NO: 61 shows the sequence of the B2 portion in the 3′-side of BIP. In the F2 portion and the B2 portion, * represents a base showing polymorphism based on comparison among the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 25.

TABLE 13 lmo2736 LAMP primer set 10 SEQ Sequence (5′ → 3′) ID NO. Setting position LMO2736-10 F3 GTGGCATTCATTTGCAAGAAC 54 491-511 LMO2736-10 B3 GAGCTGAACCGCTTAATAAGTC 55 790-811 LMO2736-10 FIP GAAGTGGATTCGTCACGTCACAGGCTACATTGATGCCAGCAACCTTAAC 56 572-595 (F1) *--*--------------*-----* 516-540 (F2) LMO2736-10 BIP CTCGACCAATTTTCTTCTCAAAAAATCACCACCAGCGGCTCCG 57 697-724 (B1) -----*--------* 741-755 (B2) SEQ ID NO: 63 shows the sequence of the F2 portion in the 3′-side of FIP, and SEQ ID NO: 64 shows the sequence of the B2 portion in the 3′-side of BIP. In the F2 portion and the B2 portion. * represents a base showing polymorphism based on comparison among the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 25.

TABLE 14-2 Bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria LMO2736 other than the monocytogenes bacterium set set set No. Bacterial strain Halo 1 2 10 LMO0084 11 L. ivanovii GTC02961 (+) + + + + 12 L. ivanovii JMC7681 (+) + + + + subsp. Ivanovii 13 L. ivanovii GTC01640T (+) + + + + subsp. Ivanovii 14 L. ivanovii GTC01641 (+/−) + + + + subsp. Iondoniensis 15 L. innocua GTC16426T (+) + + + + 16 L. innocua GTC02960 (+) + + + + 17 L. welshimeri GTC02963T (+) + + + + 18 L. seeligeri GTC16428T (+) + + + + 19 L. grayi GTC02964T (+) + + + + 20 L. murrayi GTC02964 (+) + + + + 21 L. marthii GTC16430T 22 L. rocourtiae GTC16429T

TABLE 14-1 Listeria monocytogenes LMO2736 LMO No. Bacterial strain Halo set 1 set 2 set 10 0084 1 L. monocytogenes 1/2a GTC (+) + + + + 02947 2 L. monocytogenes 1/2b GTC (+) + + + + 02948 3 L. monocytogenes 1/2c JMC (+) + + + + 7672 4 L. monocytogenes 3a JMC (+/−) + + + + 7673 5 L. monocytogenes 3b JMC (+) + + + + 7677 6 L. monocytogenes 3c JMC (+) + + + + 7678 7 L. monocytogenes 4a JMC (+) + + + + 7674 8 L. monocytogenes 4b JMC (+) + + + + 7675 9 L. monocytogenes 4d JMC (+) + + + + 7680 10 L. monocytogenes 5 GTC (+) + + + + 02957

TABLE 14-3 Food-poisoning bacteria other than LMO2736 bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria set set set No. Bacterial strain 1 2 10 LMO0084 23 Escherichia coli ATCC10798 − − − − 24 Salmonella subsp. JA.107 − − − − enterica (I) 25 Salmonella subsp. JA.125 − − − − salamae (II) 26 Salmonella subsp. JA.76 − − − − arizonae (IIIa) 27 Salmonella subsp. JA.129 − − − − diarizinae (IIIb) 28 Salmonella subsp. JA.n-22 − − − − houtenae (IV) 29 Salmonella bongori (V) JA.94 − − − − 30 Salmonella subsp. ATCC43971 − − − − enterica Typhimurium 31 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538P − − − − 32 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 − − − − 33 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 − − − − 34 Staphylococcus aureus JMC2197 − − − − 35 Staphylococcus aureus IMCB.IMA2 − − − − 36 Staphylococcus cohnii ATCC29974 − − − − 37 Staphylococcus ATCC29970 − − − − haemolyticus 38 Staphylococcus hyicus ATCC11249 − − − − subsp. 39 Staphylococcus ATCC29663 − − − − intermedius 40 Staphylococcus ATCC15305 − − − − saprophyticus 41 Citrobacter freundii ATCC8090 − − − − 42 Citrobacter freundii ATCC8043 − − − − 43 Proteus vulgaris IFO3988 − − − − 44 Lactobacillus IFO13953 − − − − bulgaricus 45 Lactobacillus IFO3809 − − − − helveticus 46 Streptococcus sp. IFO3535 − − − − 47 Streptococcus ATCC10558 − − − − sanguis 48 Streptococcus mitis ATCC6249 − − − −

<Designing of Mixed Primers>

For covering polymorphic sequences of more serotypes, mixed primers using mixed bases were designed at the LMO0084 primer designing sites shown above in Table 6.

TABLE 15 SEQ LMO0084 ID primer NO. Sequence Serotype F286A 26 AGCCGTCCAGAAAGCATCAA 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4e F286B 27 AGCCGCCCAGAAAGTCTCAA 4a, 4c F286/M 67 AGCCGYCCAGAAAGYMTCAA F281A 28 TCGATAGCCGTCCAGAAAGC 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4e F281B 29 TTGATAGCCGCCCAGAAAGT 4a, 4e F281/M 68 TYGATAGCCGYCCAGAAAGY R757A 30 GCTCGTCGGCGATTTCTTTC 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3c R757B 31 GCTCGTCGGCTATTTCTTTC 1/2b, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c R757 See GCTCGTCAGCTATTTCTTTC 4c 9 R757/M 69 GCTCGTCRGCKATTTCTTTC

Ordinary PCR was carried out with the combinations of F286/M and R757/M, and 281/M and R757/M, to see whether monocytogenes-specific amplification can be found therewith. Detection tests were carried out using the monocytogenes bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 1 to 10 shown in Table 5-1, the bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 11 to 22 belonging to the genus Listeria shown in Table 5-2, and the food-poisoning bacteria of the bacterial strain Nos. 23 to 48 (wherein, however, the Citrobacter freundii N-326 strain was used instead of the bacterial strain No. 42).

As a result, all monocytogenes bacteria showed amplification, and none of the bacterial strains other than the monocytogenes bacteria showed amplification (Tables 16-1 to 16-6).

TABLE 16-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes LM00084 1/2a 1/2b 1/2c 3a 3b 3c No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02947 GTC02948 JMC7672 JMC7673 JMC7677 JMC7678 1 F286/M R757/M 471 + + + + + + 2 F281/M R757/M 476 + + + + + + 7 8 9 10 monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes LM00084 4a 4b 4d 5 No. primer: F primer: R size JMC7674 JMC7675 JMC7680 GTC02957 1 F286/M R757/M 471 + + + + 2 F281/M R757/M 476 + + + +

TABLE 16-2 12 13 14 ivanovii ivanovii ivanovii 11 subsp. subsp. subsp. 15 16 LMO0084 ivanovii Ivanovii Ivanovii londoniensisi innocua innocua No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02961 JMC7681 GTC01640T GTC01641 GTC16426T GTC02960 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − − − − 17 18 19 20 LMO0084 welshimeri seeligeri grayi murrayi No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02963T GTC16428T GTC02964T GTC02964 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − −

TABLE 16-3 21 22 LMO0084 marthii rocourtiae No. primer: F primer: R size GTC16430T GTC16429T 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − −

TABLE 16-4 24 25 26 27 28 23 Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Escherichia subsp. subsp. subsp. subsp. subsp. coli Enterica Salamae Arizonae Diarizinae Houtenae LMO0084 (K12) (I) (II) (IIIa) (IIIb) (IV) No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC10798 JA.107 JA.125 JA.76 JA.129 JA.n-22 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − − − − 30 29 Salmonella Salmonella subsp. 31 32 bongori Enterica Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO0084 (V) Typhimurium aureus aureus No. primer: F primer: R size JA.94 ATCC43971 ATCC6538P ATCC25923 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − −

TABLE 16-5 33 34 35 36 40 37 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO0084 aureus aureus aureus cohnii saprophyticus haemolyticus No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC29213 JMC2197 IMCB.IMA2 ATCC29974 ATCC15305 ATCC29970 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − − − − 38 39 41 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Citrobacter Citrobacter LMO0084 hyicus subsp. intermedius freundii freundii No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC11249 ATCC29S63 ATCC8090 N-326 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − −

TABLE 16-6 43 44 45 46 47 48 Proteus Lactbacillus Lactbacillus Streptcoccus Streptcoccus Streptcoccus LMO0084 vulgaris bulgarius helvelicus sp. sanguis mitis No. primer: F primer: R size IFO3988 IFO13953 IFO3809 IFO3535 ATCC10558 ATCC6249 1 F286/M R757/M 471 − − − − − − 2 F281/M R757/M 476 − − − − − −

Similarly, for LMO2736, mixed primers using mixed bases were designed at the lmo2736 primer designing sites shown above in Table 6. The “SEQ ID NO.” column shows the SEQ ID NOs. of the lmo2736 gene of the referred serotypes and the SEQ ID NOs. describing the primer sequences.

TABLE 17 Position Primer abbreviations SEQ ID F/R are shown in () Sequence NO. Serotype F 8-27 TCGTCATCGCACCTGATTCA 32 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, (F8) 4c, 4d, 4e F 222-241 GGCCTCCTACGGTATTCACG 15 etc 1/2c, 3a, 3c F 222-241 GGCCCCCTACGGTATTCACA 13 1/2a F 222-241 GGCCTCCTACGGTATTCACA 19, 22 4a, 4c F 222-241 CCCCTCCTACGGTATTCTCG 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4b, 4d, 4e F 222Mix GGCCYCCTACGGTATTCWCR 70 (F222/M) F 488-507 CCGGTGGCATTCATTTGCAA 14 etc 1/2b, 1/2c, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e F 488-507 CCGGCGGTATTCATTTCCAA 13, 16 1/2a, 3a F 488Mix CCGGYGGYATTCATTTGCAA 71 (F488/M) F 530-549 GCAACCTTAACCCAAAGCTG 15, 18 1/2c, 3c F 530-549 GCAATCTTAACCCAAAGCTG 13, 16 1/2a, 3a F 530-549 GCAACCTTAATCCAAACCTG 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e F 530Mix GCAAYCTTAAYCCAAAGCTG 72 (F530/M) F 572-591 CCTGTGACGTGACGAATCCA 13 etc 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3c F 572-591 CCTGCGACGTCACGAATCCA 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e F 572-591 CCTGTGACGTCACGAATCCA 19 4a F 572Mix CCTGYGACGTSACGAATCCA 73 (F572/M) R 176-157 TCCACCTCGGAAGACTCACT 37 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, (R176) 4c, 4d, 4e R 591-572 TGGATTCGTCACGTCACAGG 13 etc 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3c R 591-572 TGGATTCGTGACGTCGCAGG 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e R 591-572 TCCATTCGTGACGTCACAGG 19 4a R 591Mix TGGATTCGTSACGTCRCAGG 74 (R591/M) R 685-666 AGTTCTGCATGGCGTTCTCT 13 etc 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3c R 685-666 AGTTCTGCATCCCCCGCTCT 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4b, 4d, 43 R 685-666 AGTTCTGCATGGCGTGCTCT 19 4a R 685-666 AGTTCTGCATGGCATGCTCT 22 4c R 685Mix AGTTCTGCATGGCRYKCTCT 75 (R685/M) R 771-752 TAGTCCAGCAGCGATACCAC 13 etc 1/2a, 1/2c, 3a, 3c R 771-752 TAGTCCGGCAGCGATACCAC 14 etc 1/2b, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e R 771Mix TAGTCCRGCAGCGATACCAC 76 (R771 /M) R 992-973 TTGTTTTCGAGTGCAAGGCT 41 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, (R992) 4c, 4d, 4e

Ordinary PCR was carried out with the combinations of an F primer and an R primer shown below in Table 18 to see whether monocytogenes-specific amplification can be found therewith. Detection tests were carried out using the monocytogenes bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 1 to 10 shown in Table 5-1, the bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 11 to 22 belonging to the genus Listeria shown in Table 5-2, and the food-poisoning bacteria of the bacterial strain Nos. 23 to 48 (wherein, however, the Citrobacter freundii N-326 strain was used instead of the bacterial strain No. 42).

As a result, all monocytogenes bacteria showed amplification, and none of the bacterial strains other than the monocytogenes bacteria showed amplification (Tables 19-1 to 19-6).

TABLE 18 LMO2736 LMO2736 Amplification F primer R primer size 1 F8 R176 168 2 F222/M R591/M 369 3 F488/M R591/M 103 4 F488/M R685/M 197 5 F488/M R771/M 283 6 F488/M R992 504 7 F530/M R685/M 155 8 F530/M R771/M 241 9 F530/M R992 462 10 F572/M R685/M 133 11 F572/M R771/M 199 12 F572/M R992 420

TABLE 19-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes LMO2736 1/2a 1/2b 1/2c 3a 3b 3c No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02947 GTC02948 JMC7672 JMC7673 JMC7677 JMC7678 1 F8 R176 168 + + + + + + 2 F222/M R591/M 369 + + + + + + 3 F488/M R591/M 103 + + + + + + 4 F488/M R685/M 197 + + + + + + 5 F488/M R771/M 283 + + + + + + 6 F488/M R992 504 + + + + + + 7 F530/M R685/M 155 + + + + + + 8 F530/M R771/M 241 + + + + + + 9 F530/M R992 462 + + + + + + 10 F572/M R685/M 133 + + + + + + 11 F572/M R771/M 199 + + + + + + 12 F572/M R992 420 + + + + + + 7 8 9 10 monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes monocytogenes LMO2736 4a 4b 4d 5 No. primer: F primer: R size JMC7674 JMC7675 JMC7680 GTC02957 1 F8 R176 168 + + + + 2 F222/M R591/M 369 + + + + 3 F488/M R591/M 103 + + + + 4 F488/M R685/M 197 + + + + 5 F488/M R771/M 283 + + + + 6 F488/M R992 504 + + + + 7 F530/M R685/M 155 + + + + 8 F530/M R771/M 241 + + + + 9 F530/M R992 462 + + + + 10 F572/M R685/M 133 + + + + 11 F572/M R771/M 199 + + + + 12 F572/M R992 420 + + + +

TABLE 19-2 12 13 14 ivanovii ivanovii ivanovii 11 subsp. subsp. subsp. 15 16 LMO2736 ivanovii Ivanovii Ivanovii londoniensisi innocua innocua No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02961 JMC7681 GTC01640T GTC01641 GTC16426T GTC02960 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − − − 11 F572/M R77/M 199 − − − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − − − − 17 18 19 20 LMO2736 welshimeri seeligeri grayi murrayi No. primer: F primer: R size GTC02963T GTC16428T GTC02964T GTC02964 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − 11 F572/M R77/M 199 − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − −

TABLE 19-3 21 22 LMO2736 marthii rocourtiae No. primer: F primer: R size GTC16430T GTC16429T 1 F8 R176 168 − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − −

TABLE 19-4 24 25 26 27 28 23 Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Salmonella Escherichia subsp. subsp. subsp. subsp. subsp. coli Enterica Salamae Arizonae Diarizinae Houtenae LMO2736 (K12) (I) (II) (IIIa) (IIIb) (IV) No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC10798 JA.107 JA.125 JA.76 JA.129 JA.n-22 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − − − − 30 29 Salmonella Salmonella subsp. 31 32 bongori Enterica Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO2736 (V) Typhimurium aureus aureus No. primer: F primer: R size JA.94 ATCC43971 ATCC6538P ATCC25923 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − −

TABLE 19-5 33 34 35 36 40 37 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Staphylococcus LMO2736 aureus aureus aureus cohnii saprophyticus haemolyticus No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC29213 JMC2197 IMCB.IMA2 ATCC29974 ATCC15305 ATCC29970 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − − − − 38 39 41 Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Citrobacter Citrobacter LMO2736 hyicus subsp. intermedius freundii freundii No. primer: F primer: R size ATCC11249 ATCC29663 ATCC8090 N-326 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − −

TABLE 19-6 43 44 45 46 47 48 Proteus Lactbacillus Lactbadllus Streptcoccus Streptcoccus Streptooccus LMO2736 vulgaris bulgarius helveticus sp. sanguis mitis No. primer: F primer: R size IFO3988 IFO13953 IFO3809 IFO3535 ATCC10558 ATCC6249 1 F8 R176 168 − − − − − − 2 F222/M R591/M 369 − − − − − − 3 F488/M R591/M 103 − − − − − − 4 F488/M R685/M 197 − − − − − − 5 F488/M R771/M 283 − − − − − − 6 F488/M R992 504 − − − − − − 7 F530/M R685/M 155 − − − − − − 8 F530/M R771/M 241 − − − − − − 9 F530/M R992 462 − − − − − − 10 F572/M R685/M 133 − − − − − − 11 F572/M R771/M 199 − − − − − − 12 F572/M R992 420 − − − − − −

<Designing of TaqMan (Registered Trademark) Probes>

Aiming at construction of a real-time PCR detection system, TaqMan (registered trademark) probes were designed.

[1] LMO0084 Gene

A TaqMan (registered trademark) probe is commonly designed under the following conditions.

- A TaqMan (registered trademark) probe is designed as a 20-mer to 30-mer probe (citation from Thermo Fisher).
- The amplification target ideally has a length of 70 bp to 200 bp, and should have a length of less than 300 bp (citation from QIAGEN).

However, according to the sets of mixed primers targeting the LMO0084 gene, designed as described above (LMO0084-F286/M and LMO0084-R757/M, and LMO0084-F281/M and LMO0084-R757/M), the length of the amplification target was about 470 bp. Since specificity in the PCR could not be obtained with a length shorter than this, TaqMan (registered trademark) probes were designed within this range. In the amplification target, 20-mer or longer sequences containing a common sequence of not more than two bases in the monocytogenes bacterium were present at three locations (Table 20).

TABLE 20 Number Probe of bases Characteristics TMP366-389 23 mer Common to all sequences TMP535-558 23 mer TA-type and CC-type exist TMP686-711 26 mer Common to all sequences

In view of this, the following four kinds of sequences were employed as probe sequences. The oligonucleotide having each sequence was modified with the fluorescent substance FAM (6-carboxyfluorescein) at the 5′-end, and with the quencher substance TAMRA at the 3′-end, to prepare a TaqMan (registered trademark) probe.

(SEQ ID NO: 77) 0084TMP366-389: TATTACATTCATAGAATTGACCC (SEQ ID NO: 78) 0084TMP535-558(TA): ATCTGGTGGCGAGAAGCTGAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 79) 0084TMP535-558(CC): ATCTGGTGGCGAGAAGCCGAACA (SEQ ID NO: 80) 0084TMP686-711: TACCAAGATTCCAAAAAGAAGCCATG

The sets of mixed primers shown in Table 15 (LMO0084-F286M and LMO0084-R757M, and LMO0084-F281M and LMO0084-R757M) were used in combination with these TaqMan (registered trademark) probes to carry out detection experiments by real-time PCR using the genomes of test bacterial strains as templates. As the test bacterial strains, the monocytogenes bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 1 to 10 shown in Table 5-1, the bacterial strains of the bacterial strain Nos. 11 to 22 belonging to the genus Listeria shown in Table 5-2, and the food-poisoning bacteria of the bacterial strain Nos. 23 to 48 (wherein, however, the Citrobacter freundii N-326 strain was used instead of the bacterial strain No. 42) were used.

TABLE 21 [Composition of the reaction liquid for real-time PCR (total 20 μL)] Template DNA (1 ng/μL) 1.00 μL TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix(2x) 10.00 μL 100 μM Primer F 0.08 μL (per primer sequence) 100 μM Primer R 0.08 μL (per primer sequence) 100 μM TaqMan probe 0.25 μL Distilled Water Appropriate volume

[Reaction Conditions]

Apparatus used: Corbett Research: Roter-Gene6000
50° C. for 2 minutes (holding)→95° C. for 2 minutes (holding)→(95° C. for 3 seconds −64° C. for 15 seconds)×40 cycles

Evaluation was carried out based on the presence or absence of the amplification curve. Agarose electrophoresis of the PCR product was also carried out, and the presence or absence of a band, and the band size were investigated.

The results of the real-time PCR tests are shown in Tables 22-1 to 22-3. 0084TMP366-389 and 0084TMP686-711 were capable of specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium by combination with either primer set. 0084TMP535-558(TA) and 0084TMP535-558(CC) were found to be similarly capable of specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium when they were used as a mixed probe. In cases where these are used as a mixture, the reaction liquid composition may be 0.25 μL of 100 μM 0084TMP535-558(TA) and 0.25 μL of 100 μM 0084TMP535-558(CC).

TABLE 22-1 TaqMan ® probe TMP366-389 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TMP366-389 − TA CC Mix (TA/CC) − − primer F F286/M F286/M F286/M F286/M F286/M F281/M primer: R R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 471 476 476 476 471 476 1 Listeria 1/2a GTC02947 + + − + + + monocytogenes 2 Listeria 1/2b GTC02948 + + − + + + monocytogenes 3 Listeria 1/2c JMC7672 + + − + + + monocytogenes 4 Listeria 3a JMC7673 + + − + + + monocytogenes 5 Listeria 3b JMC7677 + + − + + + monocytogenes 6 Listeria 3c JMC7678 + + − + + + monocytogenes 7 Listeria 4a JMC7674 + − + + + + monocytogenes 8 Listeria 4b JMC7675 + + − + + + monocytogenes 9 Listeria 4d JMC7680 + + − + + + monocytogenes 10 Listeria 5 GTC02357 + + − + + + monocytogenes TaqMan ® probe TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TA CC Mix (TA/CC) − primer F F281/M F281/M F281/M F281/M primer H R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 476 476 476 476 1 Listeria 1/2a GTC02947 + − + + monocytogenes 2 Listeria 1/2b GTC02948 + − + + monocytogenes 3 Listeria 1/2c JMC7672 + − + + monocytogenes 4 Listeria 3a JMC7673 + − + + monocytogenes 5 Listeria 3b JMC7677 + − + + monocytogenes 6 Listeria 3c JMC7678 + − + + monocytogenes 7 Listeria 4a JMC7674 − + + + monocytogenes 8 Listeria 4b JMC7675 + − + + monocytogenes 9 Listeria 4d JMC7680 + − + + monocytogenes 10 Listeria 5 GTC02357 + − + + monocytogenes

TABLE 22-2 TaqMan ® probe TMP366-389 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TMP366-389 − TA CC Mix (TA/CC) − − primer F F286/M F286/M F286/M F286/M F286/M F281/M primer R R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 471 471 471 471 471 476 11 Listeria ivanovii GTC02961 − − − − − − 12 Listeria ivanovii JMC7681 − − − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 13 Listeria ivanovii GTC01640T − − − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 14 Listeria ivanovii GTC01641 − − − − − − subsp. londonionsisi 15 Listeria innocua GTC16426T − − − − − − 16 Listeria innocua GTC02960 − − − − − − 17 Listeria welshimeri GTC02963T − − − − − − 18 Listeria seeligeri GTC16428T − − − − − − 19 Listeria grayi GTC02964T − − − − − − 20 Listeria murrayi GTC02964 − − − − − − 21 Listeria marthii GTC16430T − − − − − − 22 Listeria rocourtiae GTC16429T − − − − − − TaqMan ® probe TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TMP535-558 CC Mix (TA/CC) − TA primer F F281/M F281/M F281/M F281/M primer R R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 476 476 476 476 11 Listeria ivanovii GTC02961 − − − − 12 Listeria ivanovii JMC7681 − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 13 Listeria ivanovii GTC01640T − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 14 Listeria ivanovii GTC01641 − − − − subsp. londonionsisi 15 Listeria innocua GTC16426T − − − − 16 Listeria innocua GTC02960 − − − − 17 Listeria welshimeri GTC02963T − − − − 18 Listeria seeligeri GTC16428T − − − − 19 Listeria grayi GTC02964T − − − − 20 Listeria murrayi GTC02964 − − − − 21 Listeria marthii GTC16430T − − − − 22 Listeria rocourtiae GTC16429T − − − −

TABLE 22-3 TaqMan ® probe TMP366-389 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TMP366-389 − TA CC Mix (TA/CC) − − primer F F286/M F286/M F28/M F286/M F286/M F281/M primer R R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 471 471 471 471 471 476 23 Escherichia coli (K12) ATCC10798 − − − − − − 24 Salmonella subsp. JA.107 − − − − − − Enterica (I) 25 Salmonella subsp. JA.125 − − − − − − Salamae (II) 26 Salmonella subsp. JA.76 − − − − − − Arizonae (IIIa) 27 Salmonella subsp. JA.129 − − − − − − Diarizinae (IIIb) 28 Salmonella subsp. JA.n-22 − − − − − − Houtenae (IV) 29 Salmonella bongori (V) JA.94 − − − − − − 30 Salmonella subsp. ATCC43971 − − − − − − EntericaTyphimurium 31 Staphylococcus ATCC6538P − − − − − − aureus 32 Staphylococcus ATCC25923 − − − − − − aureus 33 Staphylococcus ATCC29213 − − − − − − aureus 34 Staphylococcus JMC2197 − − − − − − aureus 35 Staphylococcus IMCB.IMA2 − − − − − − aureus 36 Staphylococcus ATCC29974 − − − − − − cohnii 40 Staphylococcus ATCC15305 − − − − − − saprophyticus 37 Staphylococcus ATCC29970 − − − − − − haemolyticus 38 Staphylococcus ATCC11249 − − − − − − hyicus subsp. 39 Staphylococcus ATCC29663 − − − − − − intermedius 41 Citrobacter ATCC8090 − − − − − − freundii Citrobacter N-326 − − − − − − freundii 43 Proteus vulgaris IFO3988 − − − − − − 44 Lactbacillus IFO13953 − − − − − − bulgarius 45 Lactbacillus IFO3809 − − − − − − helveticus 46 Streptcoccus sp. IFO3535 − − − − − − 47 Streptcoccus ATCC10558 − − − − − − sanguis 48 Streptcoccus mitis ATCC6249 − − − − − − TaqMan ® probe TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP535-558 TMP686-711 TA CC Mix (TA/CC) − primer F F281/M F281/M F281/M F281/M primer R R757/M R757/M R757/M R757/M LMO 0084 size 476 476 476 476 23 Escherichia coli (K12) ATCC10798 − − − − 24 Salmonella subsp. JA.107 − − − − Enterica (I) 25 Salmonella subsp. JA.125 − − − − Salamae (II) 26 Salmonella subsp. JA.76 − − − − Arizonae (IIIa) 27 Salmonella subsp. JA.129 − − − − Diarizinae (IIIb) 28 Salmonella subsp. JA.n-22 − − − − Houtenae (IV) 29 Salmonella bongori (V) JA.94 − − − − 30 Salmonella subsp. ATCC43971 − − − − EntericaTyphimurium 31 Staphylococcus ATCC6538P − − − − aureus 32 Staphylococcus ATCC25923 − − − − aureus 33 Staphylococcus ATCC29213 − − − − aureus 34 Staphylococcus JMC2197 − − − − aureus 35 Staphylococcus IMCB.IMA2 − − − − aureus 36 Staphylococcus ATCC29974 − − − − cohnii 40 Staphylococcus ATCC15305 − − − − saprophyticus 37 Staphylococcus ATCC29970 − − − − haemolyticus 38 Staphylococcus ATCC11249 − − − − hyicus subsp. 39 Staphylococcus ATCC29663 − − − − intermedius 41 Citrobacter ATCC8090 − − − − freundii Citrobacter N-326 − − − − freundii 43 Proteus vulgaris IFO3988 − − − − 44 Lactbacillus IFO13953 − − − − bulgarius 45 Lactbacillus IFO3809 − − − − helveticus 46 Streptcoccus sp. IFO3535 − − − − 47 Streptcoccus ATCC10558 − − − − sanguis 48 Streptcoccus mitis ATCC6249 − − − −

Based on the above results, the following are primer-probe combinations that can be preferably used for detection of the LMO0084 gene by real-time PCR. The number in [ ] represents a SEQ ID NO. in SEQUENCE LISTING.

TABLE 23 LMO0084 primers LMO0084 primer: F primer: R TaqMan (registered trademark) probe 1 F286/M [67] R757/M [69] 0084TMP366-389 [77] 2 F286/M [67] R757/M [69] 0084TMP535-558(TA) [78] 0084TMP535-558(CC) [79] 3 F286/M [67] R757/M [69] 0084TMP686-711 [80] 4 F281/M [68] R757/M [69] 0084TMP366-389 [77] 5 F281/M [68] R757/M [69] 0084TMP535-558(TA) [78] 0084TMP535-558(CC) [79] 6 F281/M [68] R757/M [69] 0084TMP686-711 [80]

[2] LMO2736 Gene

For each of No. 1 and No. 2 among the primer sets shown in Table 18, one TaqMan (registered trademark) probe was designed in the PCR amplification region (Table 24).

Since common sequences were hardly present in the PCR amplification of No. 3 to No. 12, a TaqMan (registered trademark) probe was set at one location in a common sequence in the PCR amplification regions of No. 4 to No. 12 (position 488 to position 992) (Table 24).

TABLE 24 Number LMO0084 probe of bases Characteristics TMP70-89 20 mer Common to all sequences TMP372-393 20 mer Common to all sequences TMP619-647 29 mer GG-type and CC-type exist

The following four kinds of sequences were employed as probe sequences. The oligonucleotide having each sequence was modified with the fluorescent substance FAM (6-carboxyfluorescein) at the 5′-end, and with the quencher substance TAMRA at the 3′-end, to prepare a TaqMan (registered trademark) probe.

(SEQ ID NO: 81) 2736TMP70-89: AAAAAAGGCTGGACTAAAGC (SEQ ID NO: 82) 2736TMP372-393: ACGTCAAAAAAATCATTATC (SEQ ID NO: 83) 2736TMP619-647(GG): GTTTTCGGTGCTCAAAAAGGGGCAAGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 84) 2736TMP619-647(CC): GTTTTCGGTGCTCAAAAAGGCGCAACTCC

Real-time PCR tests were carried out using the combinations of primers and a probe shown below in Table 24. 2736TMP619-647(GG) and 2736TMP619-647(CC) were used individually or as a mixture to provide a probe. In the table, the number in [ ] represents a SEQ ID NO. in SEQUENCE LISTING. The test bacterial strains used, the composition of the reaction liquid for the real-time PCR, and the reaction conditions were the same as in the above detection tests for the LMO0084 gene. When 2736TMP619-647(SS) was used, the reaction liquid composition was 0.25 μL of 100 μM 2736TMP619-647(GG) and 0.25 μL of 100 μM 2736TMP619-647(CC).

TABLE 25 LMO2736 primers LMO2736 primer: F primer: R TaqMan (registered trademark) probe 1 F8 [32] R176 [37] 2736TMP70-89 [81] 2 F222/M [70] R591/M [74] 2736TMP372-393 [82] 3 F530/M [72] R771/M [76] 2736TMP619-647(GG) [83] 4 F530/M [72] R771/M [76] 2736TMP619-647(CC) [84] 5 F530/M [72] R771/M [76] 2736TMP619-647(GG) [83] 2736TMP619-647(CC) [84]

The results are shown in Tables 26-1 to 26-3. The primer-probe sets 1 and 2 in Table 25 were capable of specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium. 2736TMP619-647(GG) and 2736TMP619-647(CC) were capable of specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium when they were used as a mixed probe. Based on the above results, 1, 2, and 5 in Table 25 are primer-probe combinations that can be especially preferably used for detection of the LMO2736 gene by real-time PCR.

TABLE 26-1 TaqMan ® probe TMP70-89 TMP372-393 TMP619-647 TMP619-647 TMP619-647 − − GG CC Mix (GG/CC) primer: F F8 F222/M F530/M F530/M F530/M primer: R R176 R591/M R771/M R771/M R771/M LMO 2736 size 168 368 241 241 241 1 Listeria 1/2a GTC02947 + + + − + monocytogenes 2 Listeria 1/2b GTC02948 + + + − + monocytogenes 3 Listeria 1/2c JMC7672 + + + − + monocytogenes 4 Listeria 3a JMC7673 + + + − + monocytogenes 5 Listeria 3b JMC7677 + + − + + monocytogenes 6 Listeria 3c JMC7678 + + + − + monocytogenes 7 Listeria 4a JMC7674 + + − + + monocytogenes 8 Listeria 4b JMC7675 + + − + + monocytogenes 9 Listeria 4d JMC7680 + + − + + monocytogenes 10 Listeria 5 GTC02957 + + − + + monocytogenes

TABLE 26-2 TaqMan ® probe TMP70-89 TMP372-393 TMP619-647 TMP619-647 TMP619-647 − − GG CC Mix (GG/CC) primer: F F8 F222/M F530/M F530/M F530/M primer: R R176 R591/M R771/M R771/M R771/M LMO 2736 size 168 368 241 241 241 11 Listeria ivanovii GTC02961 − − − − − 12 Listeria ivanovii JMC7681 − − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 13 Listeria ivanovii GTC01640T − − − − − subsp. Ivanovii 14 Listeria ivanovii GTC01641 − − − − − subsp. londoniensisi 15 Listeria innocua GTC16426T − − − − − 16 Listeria innocua GTC02960 − − − − − 17 Listeria welshimeri GTC02963T − − − − − 18 Listeria seeligeri GTC16428T − − − − − 19 Listeria grayi GTC02964T − − − − − 20 Listeria murrayi GTC02964 − − − − − 21 Listeria marthii GTC16430T − − − − − 22 Listeria rocourtiae GTC16429T − − − − −

TABLE 26-3 TaqMan ® probe TMP70-89 TMP372-393 TMP619-647 TMP619 647 TMP619-647 − − GG CC Mix (GG/CC) primer: F F8 F222/M F530/M F530/M F530/M primer: R R176 R591/M R771/M R771/M R771/M LMO 2736 size 168 368 241 241 241 23 Escherichia coli (K12) ATCC10798 − − − − − 24 Salmonella subsp. JA.107 − − − − − Enterica (I) 25 Salmonella subsp. JA.125 − − − − − Salamae (II) 26 Salmonella subsp. JA.76 − − − − − Arizonae (IIIa) 27 Salmonella subsp. JA.129 − − − − − Diarizinae (IIIb) 28 Salmonella subsp. JA.n-22 − − − − − Houtenae (IV) 29 Salmonella bongori (V) JA.94 − − − − − 30 Salmonella subsp. ATCC43971 − − − − − EntericaTyphimurium 31 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538P − − − − − 32 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 − − − − − 33 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 − − − − − 34 Staphylococcus aureus JMC2197 − − − − − 35 Staphylococcus aureus IMCB.IMA2 − − − − − 36 Staphylococcus cohnii ATCC29974 − − − − − 40 Staphylococcus saprophyticus ATCC15305 − − − − − 37 Staphylococcus haemolyticus ATCC29970 − − − − − 38 Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. ATCC11249 − − − − − 39 Staphylococcus intermedius ATCC29663 − − − − − 41 Citrobacter freundii ATCC8090 − − − − − Citrobacter freundii N-326 − − − − − 43 Proteus vulgaris IFO3988 − − − − − 44 Lactbacillus bulgarius IFO13953 − − − − − 45 Lactbacillus helveticus IFO3809 − − − − − 46 Streptcoccus sp. IFO3535 − − − − − 47 Streptcoccus sanguis ATCC10558 − − − − - 48 Streptcoccus mitis ATCC6249 − − − − -

The following is an example of the procedure for preparation of a DNA sample in a case where a monocytogenes bacterium test is carried out for food using the present real-time PCR detection system.

(1) To 25 g of food, 225 mL of a bacterial growth selection medium is added, and culture is performed at 30° C. for 24 hours±3 hours. To 10 mL of BHI (Brain-Heart Infusion) medium, 0.1 mL of the resulting culture is added. Alternatively, a single colony on a selection agar medium is picked up, and then inoculated to 10 mL of BHI medium, followed by carrying out culture at 37° C. for 24 hours±3 hours.
(2) Centrifugation (13,000×g, 10 minutes, 20° C.) is carried out to collect bacterial cells from 1 mL of the resulting culture.
(3) DNA is extracted using a DNA extraction kit such as a mericon DNA Bacteria Plus Kit (QIAGEN: 69534).
(4) The DNA concentration is measured.

It was shown that, by this, monocytogenes can be specifically detected using a TaqMan (registered trademark) probe designed in the LMO0084 gene or the LMO2736 gene. By using a mixture of a plurality of TaqMan (registered trademark) probes taking polymorphic sequences of these genes into account, various serotypes of the monocytogenes bacterium can be comprehensively and specifically detected. The results shown in Table 22-1 and Table 26-1 indicate that, by designing a probe for targeting a polymorphism characteristic to a particular serotype, the monocytogenes bacterium can be detected specifically to the serotype, that is, serotype identification is possible. For example, 0084TMP535-558(CC) is a probe capable of specific detection of the serotype 4a. By designing new primers and probes from the regions in these two genes identified by the present inventors as target regions for specific detection of the monocytogenes bacterium, or from other regions, and appropriately combining these, identification of serotypes of the monocytogenes bacterium is possible.

Claims

1. A primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following primer sets for amplification of a partial region of lmo0084 gene or lmo2736 gene of Listeria monocytogenes:

(A-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-2) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-3) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-4) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-5) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-6) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-7) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(A-8) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(B-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(C-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(D-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(E-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(F-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(G-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(H-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(I-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(I-2) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(I-3) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(J-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(K-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in the base sequence;

(L-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence; and

(M-1) a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence.

2. A primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets:

(A-9) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69;

(A-10) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69;

(D-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:70, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74;

(E-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74;

(F-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;

(G-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;

(H-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;

(I-4) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;

(J-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence;

(K-3) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:75;

(L-2) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a mixed reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76;

(N-1) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence; and

(O-1) a set of a mixed forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, and a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or a sequence which is the same as said base sequence except that not more than 4 bases are substituted at a genetic polymorphism site(s) in said base sequence.

3. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification primer set for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets:

(i) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:42, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:43, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:45;

(ii) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:49;

(iii) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:53; and

(iv) a set of an F3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, a B3 primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:55, an FIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, and a BIP primer composed of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:57.

4. A method of detecting Listeria monocytogenes, comprising a step of amplifying a partial region of lmo0084 gene or lmo2736 gene by a nucleic acid amplification method using the primer set according to claim 1.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the amplification of the partial region is carried out by a PCR method or an isothermal amplification method.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the isothermal amplification method is a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the PCR method is a real-time PCR method.

8. A probe for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NOs:80 to 82, SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac), or SEQ ID NO:86 (wherein ngcaan is ggcaag or cgcaac).

9. The probe according to claim 8, which is a probe for detection by real-time PCR, wherein the oligonucleotide portion has ends modified with a fluorescent substance and a quencher substance, respectively.

10. A primer-probe set for real-time PCR for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, comprising any of the following sets of primers and a probe:

[1] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 or 80;

[2] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac);

[3] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 or 80;

[4] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:68, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:69, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 (wherein ngaan is tgaaa or cgaac);

[5] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:81;

[6] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:70, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, and a probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:82; and

[7] a set of a forward primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, a reverse primer containing in its 3′-side the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, and a mixed probe containing an oligonucleotide portion having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:86 (wherein ngcaan is ggcaag or cgcaac).

11. A method of detecting Listeria monocytogenes, comprising a step of amplifying a partial region of lmo0084 gene or lmo2736 gene by a nucleic acid amplification method using the primer set according to claim 2.

12. A method of detecting Listeria monocytogenes, comprising a step of amplifying a partial region of lmo0084 gene or lmo2736 gene by a nucleic acid amplification method using the primer set according to claim 3.